Khampa Heartland

The Xining to Chengdu via Amdo and Kham Tour takes you through snow-capped mountains, lush forests, grasslands, and ancient Khampa warrior lands. Visit remote monasteries, stroll among wildflowers by turquoise lakes, and witness a sacred mani stone site that draws pilgrims from across Tibet. Along the way, barter with nomads in local markets, see traditional scripture printing at a parkhang, and enjoy authentic cuisine in the fortress-like homes of the Gyarong people. This journey blends stunning landscapes with the living traditions of Amdo and Kham.

Itinerary; 

Day 1: Xining – Kumbum Monastery (Ta’er si) – Qinghai Lake (KokoNor) [3196m]

Drive to Kumbum, a famous monastery located just outside of Xining. Founded in 1427, Kumbum is home to over 600 monks. It holds great significance as the birthplace of Je Tsongkhapa, the renowned master who founded the Gelupa lineage in Tibetan Buddhism. Notably, both the 10th Panchen Lama and the 14th Dalai Lama received their early education at this monastery.

Kumbum Monastery is known for its exquisite art forms, including sculptures made from yak butter, vibrant frescoes, and intricate padded embroidery. These artistic creations are considered the monastery’s three treasures. After exploring Kumbum, proceed to Qinghai Lake, the largest lake in China. Choose to stay at a hotel or guesthouse situated along the picturesque shores of the lake. Enjoy the serene ambiance and take in the breathtaking views of this magnificent natural wonder.

Day 2: Qinghai Lake – Dredzong Monastery [3200m]

Take pictures of the blooming yellow flowers along the shores of Qinghai lake and visit the nomads herding yaks and sheep. Drive to Dredzong Monastery and stay nearby. Dredzong means “the land of monkeys”. It’s located in an open valley on a hillside. There are several temples you can visit such as the assembly Hall, Guardians Hall, Future Buddha hall, Tara Hall.etc. After visiting the temple, do a 2.5 hour circumambulation around the monastery and the Rocky Mountain behind.   Stay in Dredzong or Xinghai.

Day 3: Dredzong Monastery – Jyekundo (Yushu) [3710m]

Drive through the remote areas of the Tibetan Plateau, including a detour to Mount Amnye Machen, the holiest mountain in the Amdo region. Proceed westward to Yushu, where you can witness the picturesque grasslands dotted with yak hair tents and white nomadic tents, accompanied by grazing yaks and sheep. Continue your journey to Jyekundo, a predominantly Tibetan town with a vibrant local population.

Day 4: Jyekundo [3710m]

There are many famous sites around Jyekundo, including a picturesque local monastery and an enormous pile of carved stones featuring Tibetan prayers. Today, 2 main sights are Jyekun (Jiegu) Monastery located behind the town and Gyanak Mani Stone (cn:Jiana manishi) which earned the fame of largest mani stone in the world. Afternoon visit The Princes Wenchen Temple which is founded in 7th century.  Spend the rest day hiking, bartering in the Tibetan market, eating traditional food, and visiting nearby sites like a white stupa at the edge of town.

Day 5: Jyekundo – Sershul (Shiqu) Monastery [4200m]

Visit Sershul Gompa, a monastery and meditation center.

This is an important Nyinmapa and Gelupa monastery lies on the beautiful hillside. This is the biggest monastery in Sershul area which hosts more than 500 monks at the present. There were 1500monks in it’s peak in 19th century.  This monastery annually holds Molam Festival or Prayer Festival and Buddhist teachings by the head of this Monastery in October. This is great time to visit this monastery, the monastery offers tents, blankets, food, tea for free for anyone comes from outside. You will see many Tibetan nomads from Jyekundo(Yushu), Dege, Nagchu in Tibetan Autonomous Region to attend this week long Prayer Festival.

Day 6: Sershul – Dzogchen Monastery – Yilhun Lhatso Lake – Derge [3270m]

Drive from Sershul Monastery to Sershul town which is a small trading town, continuing drive through some beautiful open valleys with covered by yaks, you will reach the famous Dzochen retreat center. Dzochen Monastery is recognized as the major pilgrimage site of Tibetan Buddhist in the eastern Tibet and as one of the largest Monasteries of Nyingmapa school in Kham region. The monastery is founded by Fist Dzochen Pema Rigzen in late 16th century on the advice of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Later expended by his students, including Drichen Rabjam, Tenpei Gigme and by his successive incarnations.

Later,  drive about 30km to Yilhun Lhatso Lake. a place that locals consider holy. You can see many Mani Stones (Sutra prayers carved on the stone) with different colors on the shore. This crystal clear lake is surrounded by snow capped mountain. After spend few hours at the lake,  continue on to the famous Chola Mountain 6168m. Drive over the mountain pass at 5000m and then down to Dege.

Day 7: Derge – Pelyul (Baiyu) [3040m]

Visit the DegeParkhang Printing House, one of the most important Buddhist scripture printing houses. Discover manual printing, which is done with carved wood blocks.  The king Tenpa Tsering brought Dege to the peak of it’s power by conquering the outlying northern districts of Dzachuka. Under his instructions and assistant from local tribes, Dege Parkhang/ Dege Printing House was founded in 1729.

There are total of 217.000 wooden printing blocks housed in the this printing house and the works of this print house has been used all cross Tibet Plateau. Afterwards, visit Dege Gomchen Monastery which was founded in 1448, the monastery originally built as a Sakyapa Monastery, therefore, it has kept strong ties with Sakyapa and the center of Ngor Gompa. You can distinguish the Sakyapa lineage by checking the purple color with white stripes.

Afterwards, driving along the Yangtse River you will reach the border of Sichuan and Tibet Autonomous Region. Take shift to left continue drive through some deep valley and forests, you will reach Baiyu (Pelyul) county. The Pelyul Monastery was founded in 1665 in the Kham province of eastern Tibet (present-day Baiyu, Sichuan, China) by Kunzang Sherab, the First Palyul Throne Holder. Stay in Pelyul.

Day 8: Pelyul – Garze (Ganzi) [3394m]

The drive from Pelyul to Garze provides great view of mountains, rivers, forests and grasslands. Yaks and sheep can be seen along the way. Garze is a small trading town where Tibetan people from surrounding areas such as Dege, Nyarong, Pelyul and Amdo come to buy goods. Visit Garze Monastery, which was originally built in 1642.

Day 9: Garze –Tsoka Lake –  Litang (4200m)

Today, we embark on a scenic drive through dense forests and verdant valleys to reach Tsoka Lake, a breathtaking body of water nestled atop a mountain. The lake is adorned with magnificent temples and Buddha statues, adding to its serene beauty.

As we journey further, we find ourselves surrounded by lush green hills, vast plains, and majestic snow-capped peaks. Located in the heart of the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Litang stands as one of the highest elevated towns in China. Its landscape is adorned with sturdy Tibetan homes resembling fortresses.

Notably, the north side of Litang is home to the renowned Litang Monastery, originally constructed by Sonam Gyatso, the 3rd Dalai Lama. Litang holds great historical significance as the birthplace of the 7th and 10th Dalai Lamas, adding to its fame and spiritual heritage.

Day 10: Litang – Lhagong (Tagong)[3730m] – Danba[1935m]

Check out the fantastic view of Lhagong Monastery, where there are many chortens (stupas). Circuit the chortens and temples with local pilgrims and take pictures of the spectacular chorten on the hillside above the road, where pilgrims enter the monastery grounds.

Afterwards, drive to Danba, Danba is the home of the Gyarong Tibetans, a Tibetan tribe slightly different from those of other Tibetan regions. Visit some of the rock-made houses scattered on the slopes of mountains. Gyarong Tibetan has a unique dress and slightly different Tibetan culture.  Though most men wear casual clothes, the women still wear colorful embroidered headscarves and elaborate belts and aprons. You will feel much friendly climate in Danba after Lithang.

Day 11: Danba-Chengdu [500m]

Our guide and driver will drop you off at your hotel. Say goodbye to each other.

Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.